H.—2B

4.

To Mr. H. Williams.~\ When I entered the booth I told you that our conversation had come to nought. You did not order me out, nor did you call me back. I was not influenced in the booth to vote either way. I came in, voted at once, and went out again. I did not tell Heta that I was ordered out. To Mr. M. Clarke.] I came direct to Mr. H. Williams with my remark, when you said "No conversation can be allowed here; if you have any remarks to make, you must go outside and talk." I then went out. On entering the second time I went at once to you ; you asked me if I understood how to vote. I said, " No, will you do it for me ?" You then asked me who I intended to vote for, and I replied " for Mr. John Williams." Mr. Henry Williams and I had no conversation in the booth. I was not ordered out, nor was I called back by any one in the booth. Piei Tauhaea (his x mark). Heney Williams expressing a wish to ask Heta te Haara a few questions, was answered as follows: — Na To Eanana ahau i tohe kia tuhi i taua reta, he utu mo te reta a Ta Hori Kerei ki a au i maua mai c Banana, ki Hone Mohi tetahi, ki a Eaniera Wharerau tetahi, kia Te Tai tetahi. Na Hori Kerei katoa enei reta, he tono i a matou kia pooti mo Eanana. E pai ana ahau kia homai taua feta kia apititia ki enei korero kia takoto marama ai. Heta te Haaea.

[Translation.] It was Lundon urged me to write that letter, as a reply to one from Sir G-eorge Grey to me brought by Lundon, also one to Hone Mohi, one to Raniera Wharerau, and one to Te Tai. All these letters were from Sir George G-rey, asking us to vote for Lundon. lam willing that this letter should be appended to these statements, in order that all may be made clear. Heta te Haaea. Henby Williams states as follows:— I am given to understand I am accused of improper conduct whilst acting as scrutineer, of canvassing in the polling booth. When once I accepted the office of scrutineer, I did not canvass nor ask any individual in the polling booth for whom he intended to vote. That I canvassed before is notorious, and I beg leave to state that one great reason for my activity in doing so is that I had been informed that Sir George Grey himself had canvassed for Lundon, by letters to Maori chiefs in the district, and I thought it my duty to counteract the influence of a person who is not even an elector of the district, but is Superintendent of the province. H. Williams. Mabsden Claeke states as follows :— I was acting as Deputy Eeturning Officer in charge .of the polling booth at Waiinate during the last European election, and can positively state that no irregularity took place within the polling booth. The Native, Piri Tauhara, in his ignorance, did address himself to Mr. Williams, the scrutineer, when he was immediately checked by myself, and. no conversation took place in the booth. M. Claeke. The above statements taken at Waimate, written on the foregoing sheets of paper numbering from to , were taken and written by me this 22nd day of May, 1876. Edwaed M. Williams, E.M.

By Authority : Q-eobgke Didsbuby, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB76. Price 3d.]